Next chapter, coming right up, I know last chapter didn't really have a plot line, or any important action or drama, but it was necessary for you all to understand what is going through Bella's mind, and what is going on around her, before we get to all the juiciness. I want to thank my awesome reviewers, and all those persons who have read my stories, the Climb, and this, for being there, soon, I will be leaving the fanfiction world, but I promise, both of the stories will be finished before I do.

Deadly Offers and Dangerous Decisions

EPOV

I hadn't told Bella yet, and I was anxious about telling her. Principal Greene had called me into his office the Monday after the funeral, while Bella hadn't come back to school, I had to, and since Bella and I were really close during the funeral it was obvious that we did not have a simple teacher-student relationship. I was actually surprised it had lasted this long. Not the relationship, of course, just the secret. While I was worried, I wasn't overly anxious, but I knew Bella, and I knew she would worry, not about herself, but about me, and the rumors that would be spread. I personally didn't care if they found out, at least not for myself, I had to have teaching practice to become a teacher but I was seriously considering an offer that had come to me recently. This was the only secret I had, the only thing I hadn't shared with either Bella or my family; it was something that I had to keep to myself until I made my decision. The day of the Christmas attack there were more than police men that had come to our aid. There had been word, of two special people in forks that were incredibly skilled in the deadly acts that happened on that Christmas day. It was common knowledge that the deceased chief had trained his children, and that the youngest was a deadly force to be reckoned with. A man, around thirty years of age, with dark eyes and a dark suit was there as well. That man was from the FBI recruitment office. He had come to our aid, after hearing all the people involved. He had wanted to recruit Bella, but then realized she was, in fact a girl, and was still in high school. This made it impossible for him to recruit her, but after asking around he heard that Emmett and I were both involved in the confrontation, that's when he approached us together. Emmett had accepted, with the condition that he could join in a year, because he was going to start a family. The man who had heard of his skill accepted off the bat. I was more nervous. This was an honor, it was beyond that, it was a chance to save people and help our country, I would be able to have a purpose other than teaching, and truly I wanted that, I realized I didn't want to be a teacher, especially not with Bella being a student, and I knew that if this situation went badly, I would never be accepted anywhere, but I also had to think about the risks, I could put my family in jeopardy, or I could be taken away from them at any time. I wouldn't have worried about this, but I knew that what I felt for Bella was nothing ordinary, and how I would feel if I lost her. I knew that I couldn't, I wouldn't be able to cope, and it worried me that the same thing might happen to her. I was partially afraid of putting them all in danger of something, but I knew Bella specifically could take care of herself, though it went against my very nature to watch her do some of the dangerous things she did, I knew that she could do it, and she was probably better than me at it, she had after all, gotten the recruit here.

So when I entered the office that morning I entered with a purpose, and a decision made. I would accept, as long as I was stationed in New Hampshire, so I could be close to Bella, and I would have to tell her the truth, everything. She would accept it, because she was Bella, and she loved me, and I wanted to do this, but I knew she would worry, so I would ask her, to help me, to teach me what she knew, so that I could be prepared, so I could always come back to her.

The Principal sat down behind his cheap furniture and stared at me, his face pale, and somewhat worried.

"Edward, sit down" he had said, pointing towards a chair

"I- it's difficult to speak about- I don't want there to be any mistakes" he had started, looking nervous "but it's been bugging me a lot, ever since the school year started, and now, it seems as if some rumors are true. You know I admire your ability, and the fact that you came here to help us all but its, there has been something that has been called to my attention and I can't ignore it any longer. I have heard countless rumors in the past about you and Ms. Swan. I have heard them from students, who I thought to be spiteful and jealous of a friendly relationship between a good teacher and the valedictorian of our school. I've known Bella since she was born, her mother is my wife's cousin, she is a wonderful girl, a beautiful young woman, the best student this school has seen in years. She has a promising future ahead of her, and I would just like to know one thing, is it true, have you and her been having a secret relationship, do I have to take matters into my hands and ruin a girls future because of some disgusting man that could not control his urges?" he had said, his face reddening, and no longer looking at me worriedly, but in anger

"It's true, I won't deny it, but you have to understand something Principal Greene, I am not some disgusting teacher that took advantage of a student." I started, and I noticed his curiosity overpower his anger "Bella and I have a relationship, but it's no secret. We hid nothing. Her brother knows about it, her sister in law, both teachers of this school. My parents, her friends, her step mother, other students of this school, doctors at the hospital know about it." I continued but was interrupted

"and her father what did he have to say about this?" he said, his face red again

"Her father, let me tell you something Principal Greene" I began to answer; angered by his interruption and assumption I was keeping my love for Bella hidden from her very own father! "Her father knew about this long before the relationship started, her father, gave me his blessing, her father loved me like a son and her father was going to give her away to me when she became my wife. Her father told me I could marry his daughter, long before he was killed and even now I haven't asked her out of respect for this institution, but let me assure you something Principal Greene, I am not the disgusting pervert you might think I am. I am a man that is in love with a woman, who loves him back, I am the luckiest man on earth and there is nothing wrong with trying to protect the woman I love, no matter what the ethic books say!" I finished, to an absolutely frozen Principal Greene.

It took a full three minutes after my outburst, but he eventually found his voice and by the time he did I was considerably calm.

"I understand, do not think I don't, but this is not appropriate, it is not illegal but it is unethical, I cannot condone something like this." He said calmly "So what am I supposed to do?" he said

"At the end of this year I am leaving, I will not continue to be a teacher, I've decided to follow a different path, but I beg you, do whatever you want to my record, for I shall not need it, do anything you have to, to me, but don't, please, don't ruin Bella's future, don't let something as beautiful as what we have e the downfall of her, I beg you" I said pleadingly.

He looked like he was mulling things over, his eyes were closed and there was a small vein in his forehead that was on overload.

Finally, he opened his eyes and looked visibly calm.

"Fine." I breathed a sigh of relief, waiting for the rest, "Bella will not get anything on her record, she will be valedictorian and go off to the college of her choice, she will never have to feel the wrath of her actions, but you Mr. Cullen, at the end of the year I will have to file a complaint with the board, it will stop you from being a teacher again, but as you won't be doing it, that won't be a problem, believe this, though, if anything you have said is a lie, I will find out and when I do, no matter what job you're in Mr. Cullen you will feel the consequences of your actions." He had said, and soon dismissed me, after I thanked him for his understanding.

Since Bella didn't know about the recruitment, I couldn't tell her about Mr. Greene's actions against me.

Graduation was only a week away, and after that we would all be free. After her graduation I was going to ask her to marry me. So this weekend I had to talk to her about the offer, something that only Rosalie, Emmett, and I knew about. Then, I was going to call Mr. Eleazar Denali and accept his offer. If he really wanted me he would accept my requirement. As I drove Bella out to a new place I had discovered, I held her hand and would rub my thumb lightly over her beautiful skin.

I had laughed profusely this morning when she had come growling down the steps to the kitchen, mumbling something about ignoring the fact that she hated surprises. I wasn't intentionally trying to surprise her; it was just that where I was taking her, it couldn't be described.

What she was wearing was what really caught my attention. Bella was wearing a white button down shirt, with a tan sweater over it, her collar showing, as well as a light pair of jeans. I was wearing exactly the same thing, except that being a man, mine were designed for male use. She looked beautiful, but it was too funny that we matched, and as my mother caught sight of her, she too joined in on the laughter and Bella originally thought we were making fun of her. She was so ignorant of her own beauty, she thought she looked bad in it, it was preposterous to see how badly she thought of her own beauty when she was an angel, the true name of beauty personified, I didn't deserve her.

I took her out into the woods, and she was originally angered when she noticed we were going to have to do some hiking.

BPOV

"This way," he said, glancing over his shoulder at me. He started into the dark forest.

"The trail?" Panic was clear in my voice as I hurried around the Volvo to catch up to him.

He simply stared at me

"No trail?" I asked desperately.

"I won't let you get lost." He turned then, with a mocking smile, and I stifled a gasp. His white shirt was sleeveless, and he wore it unbuttoned, so that the smooth white skin of his throat flowed uninterrupted over the marble contours of his chest, his perfect musculature no longer merely hinted at behind concealing clothes. He was too perfect, I realized with a piercing stab of despair. There was no way this godlike creature could be meant for me.

He stared at me, bewildered by my tortured expression.

"Do you want to go home?" he said quietly, a different pain than mine saturating his voice.

"No." I walked forward till I was close beside him, anxious not to waste one second of whatever time I might have with him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"I'm not a good hiker," I answered dully. "You'll have to be very patient."

"I can be patient — if I make a great effort." He smiled, holding my glance, trying to lift me out of my sudden, unexplained dejection.

I tried to smile back, but the smile was unconvincing. He scrutinized my face.

"I'll take you home," he promised. I couldn't tell if the promise was unconditional, or restricted to an immediate departure. I knew he thought it was fear that upset me.

"If you want me to hack five miles through the jungle before sundown, you'd better start leading the way," I said acidly. He frowned at me, struggling to understand my tone and expression.

He gave up after a moment and led the way into the forest.

It wasn't as hard as I had feared. The way was mostly flat, and he held the damp ferns and webs of moss aside for me. When his straight path took us over fallen trees or boulders, he would help me, lifting me by the

elbow, and holding my hand the whole time. His touch on my skin never failed to make my heart thud erratically. I tried to keep my eyes away from his perfection as much as possible, but I slipped often. Each time, his beauty pierced me through with sadness. For the most part, we walked in silence. Occasionally he would ask a question, but it was mostly a peaceful, loving gentle, silence we walked in.

The hike took me most of the morning, but he never showed any sign of impatience. The forest spread out around us in a boundless labyrinth of ancient trees, and I began to be nervous that we would never find our way out again. He was perfectly at ease, comfortable in the green maze, never seeming to feel any doubt about our direction.

After several hours, the light that filtered through the canopy transformed, the murky olive tone shifting to a brighter jade. The day had turned sunny. For the first time since we'd entered the woods, I felt a thrill of excitement — which quickly turned to impatience.

"Are we there yet?" I teased, pretending to scowl.

"Nearly." He smiled at the change in my mood. "Do you see the brightness ahead?

"Yeah"

I said as I noticed a glow that was yellow instead of green. I picked up the pace, my eagerness growing with every step. He let me lead now, following noiselessly.

I reached the edge of the pool of light and stepped through the last fringe of ferns into the loveliest place I had ever seen. The meadow was small, perfectly round, and filled with wildflowers — violet, yellow, and soft white. Somewhere nearby, I could hear the bubbling music of a stream. The sun was directly overhead, filling the circle with a haze of buttery sunshine. I walked slowly, awestruck, through the soft grass, swaying flowers, and warm, gilded air.

"Edward it's beautiful" I gasped, turning around to kiss him gently.

"This is a place I found, not too long ago, I immediately thought of you; I knew I had to bring you here, to our meadow." he started to look nervous and I wondered what the problem was. He lay down a blanket, and took out of the basket some water.

"Bella, I've been meaning to talk to you about something, I have told you before because I wasn't sure what I would decide, but now I am sure and I want you to be the first person to know." He started, and immediately caught my attention with his cryptic words.

"The day when Victoria-"I cringed at the name "first attacked the house, Emmett and I met with a man. His name was Eleazar Denali. He works as a recruiter for a special task group of the FBI. He had come here to check you out, thinking you were a guy, and that you were older. He wanted you to join them, still does. But he couldn't ask you because you're still too young, and you have to be out of college, so he couldn't. But he noticed what Emmett and I did, he, well he asked us to join him. Almost immediately Emmett accepted, although with the restriction to wait a year, but I, well I had to think about us, and everything that was happening. The truth is, I want to do it, for so many reasons, but because I know now that I don't want to be a teacher all my life, and I want to help people, this is a way to do that, I would be stationed with you in Dartmouth and I just want to know if this is ok with you before I officially accept." He said.

To say that that was not what I was expecting was an understatement. Well, I didn't know what to think. I signaled him that I needed a minute and thought about it. If this was what Edward wanted to do, then he should do it, especially if he didn't want to be a teacher, something that seemed probable to happen since word had gotten out about us, though I still didn't know if anything was going to happen yet. I thought, and thought and eventually I realized that as long as he was doing what he loved, and was still my Edward, I would follow him to the pits of hell.

"One more thing" he said, before I could answer him.

"I need your help, I never want to get in the situation where I cant come back home to you, and for that not to happen I need you to teach me" he said, looking worried at my reaction

"Okay" I whispered, and his face brightened almost immediately

"But if you get yourself killed, I will go to heaven and pull you down just so I can kill you all over again, got it?" I said sternly

"Yes ma'am" he said, giving me some form of mock salute.

The rest of our stay in the meadow was beautiful and before we knew it, it was time to get back or risk getting lost in the dark.

I mulled over everything he had told me, even about the fact that we wouldn't get into too much trouble with the school, and I sighed happily. Things were finally beginning to look up…

There you have it. Disclaimer: I own nothing, just my words and the plot, even some of those are quotes from the awesome Stephenie Meyer. For those who noticed, apart from the beginning, I only slightly altered the introduction to the meadow, almost completely quoting Meyer's depiction. Those who have read this story before will know that I do that a lot, those who don't, I know it's not mine, and I'm only using it so I can maintain true to all that is twilight.